Why was it easier to break the sound barrier the first time at a high altitude?
The air is more dense at a high altitude.
The air temperature at a high altitude is lower.
Aircraft can fly faster at high altitude.
Air particles at a high altitude are more elastic.
The correct answer is "The air is more dense at a high altitude." When an object is traveling at high speeds, it creates shock waves in the air around it. These shock waves are what cause the "sonic boom" that is heard when an object breaks the sound barrier. At lower altitudes, the air is more dense, which means there is more air for the shock waves to travel through. This makes it more difficult for an object to break the sound barrier. At higher altitudes, the air is less dense, which means there is less air for the shock waves to travel through. This makes it easier for an object to break the sound barrier.
But the air is NOT more dense at higher altitude ! However the drag is less and therefore the plane can fly a little faster.
